Do you know someone looking for a job that will challenge her or his abilities, reward on a daily basis and make a difference in someone’s life? Then a community mental health worker may be the ideal job for them!

The Ontario government has launched a free employment website for those interested in the field of community mental health. And the rewards are significant.

A community mental health worker:

• Gives back to the community;
• Gains stable, full-time employment; and
• Enjoys a job that presents new and exciting challenges daily.

Judy Shanks is Chief Executive Officer at Canadian Mental Health Association - Cochrane-Timiskaming Branch, and explains why she enjoys working in the sector:

"Working in the mental field for the past twenty-nine years has given me the opportunity to be part of growing and changing system," said Shanks. "One of the most significant changes has been watching the transformation and growth of the community mental health sector. Today we have multidisciplinary teams that include, peer specialists, family members, psychiatrists, family physicians, occupational therapist, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Social workers and Community Mental Health Workers. I take pride in knowing that what we do makes a difference in the lives of people we support".

"I think many people are drawn to the clientele and the population they get to work with, as opposed to being stuck behind a desk all day long," added Shanks. "I interact with the clients daily and it is a true privilege to work with people who see the world in such a different light."

The Ontario government is committed to hiring 1,800 new community mental health workers to help serve the needs of clients across the province. Send a friend to www.workinginmentalhealth.ca for more details. There is no cost and the site is full of job listings at the local and regional level, and also provides information on college and university training opportunities.

March 2006

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